Chel in the Land of ZNE

I'm broadcasting live tonight!

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(California Time)

CALL IN LIVE:

(347) 324-5359

www.ZNERadio.com

Our Pause for a Cause Project this month is:

Honor with Art

The prize giveaway on tonight's show is sponsored by:

I'm dreaming of glitter, glue, and wonderful things!

Have you seen our teaching line up for the ZNE ConvenZioNE 2008 event?  I'm literally pinching myself.

Early Registraion opens on APRIL 1, but it is ONLY available to the first 50 registrants, who will all have a first chance at workshop registrations on April 15 (making tax day a bit more bearable!) - we've upped our event capacity to 200, and anticipate that the event and the classes will sell out EARLY.  I hope you join us!

www.ZNEConvenZioNE.com

JoAnnA Pierotti	Sally Jean Alexander
DJ Pettit	Susan Tuttle
Lisa Kaus	Deb Trotter
Barbe Saint John	Missy Balance
Gina Gabriell

Exploding Goodness!

I am fighting the yucky bug today.  Well, have been for the past couple of days.  So I am a little behind in everything.  Except for this which is literally exploding and turning into one of the most amazing events - ever! 

www.ZNECONVENZIONE.com

Friday August 22 ~ Sunday August 24

Pleasanton, California

www.ZNECONVENZIONE.com

REGISTRATION BEGINS ON APRIL 1!

(No, really, it does!)

Paying Homage ~ IF

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."  ~Erma Bombeck

Today's Illustration Friday theme was:  Homage

I liked this one.  : D

Go Emma Go!

The extraordinary Emma Fashco - one of my favorite artists and a Founding ZNE Member and Moderator - has been working her buns off to raise money for the Avon 3-Day walk for Breast Cancer.  As part of her fundraising efforts, she has been creating a series of pink shoes.  Aren't these awesome!

If you are interested in any of these pieces, donate a minimum of $10 here:  http://walk.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1420&px=3859531

and then send me your address and the shoe you are interested in to fashco@sbcglobal.net F

irst come first served!! If you donate too late for the shoe you chose, I will offer you another one! Get a postcard for a friend, collect them to frame...

Check out Emma's blog, here:

http://www.myspace.com/fashco

Let's all give her hand raising funds for this worthy cause, and hey - she'll give you a shoe in return!

: D

COMING IN AUGUST!

This summer is going to be just FILLED with fabulous events!

Stay tuned!  More info coming soon.  I promise!

xo - Chel

I'm broadcasting live tonight!

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(California Time)

CALL IN LIVE:

(347) 324-5359

Our Pause for a Cause Project this month is:

Honor with Art

The prize giveaway on tonight's show is sponsored by:

 

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(California Time)

CALL IN LIVE:

(347) 324-5359

Our Pause for a Cause Project this month is:

Honor with Art

The prize giveaway on tonight's show is sponsored by:

 

Return to My Heart

Today is not only Easter, but it is my wedding aniversary.  I am constantly amazed at the blessings I have received by being united with my wonderful husband in this marriage.  He is an extroardinary man.  He has a wonderful sense of humor, he can fix a car, build a deck, and unclog the toilet all in the same day.  He's a motorcycle riding, hard working, wonderful dad, step-dad, and partner.

Both of us share the experience of utter heartbreak during the dissolution of our first marriages, and the miracle of new love and new beginnings, when we met. 

Our courtship came after our friendship, and our friendship is still first and foremost in our relationship.  I fell in love with him partly because of the fact that his dedication as a parent was beautiful to behold, and I thank God every day that the same dedication translates to his loyalty and caring towards myself and my son. 

I love you Richard John Hery!

Big deep breath, and nice happy sigh.

So, it is Easter.  It's early.  Abigail is at her mom's house this weekend, but my son is here with us - though he is still sleeping right now.

<That's RJ and I, five years ago.

Putting together an Easter Basket for him was near impossible.  He'll be 11 years old in a little over a month.  He vascilates between wanting to be treated like an adult (!) and nearly lighting the house on fire ("I just wanted to see what would happen when I put the army men in the microwave!").  He no longer really likes "toys."  Not the kinds I want to buy for him.  Sure, he has his stuffed animals, but he is just as likely to toss the large ones on the ground in an attempt to demonstrate a decapitating wrestling move on one of them, as he is to cuddle them.  I want to buy him picture books, but he has outgrown them.  He asks for things like WII and PS3s and other befuddling acronym laden - astronomical costing - I never had one of those when I was a kid!  - "things."

More recently, he asked for a cell phone.  HE'S TEN YEARS OLD!  However, Abigail's mother bought her one for Christmas.  "Abigail has one!"  "All my friends have one!" - I found this hard to believe, and imagine my horror when I pulled up to school to pick him up one day, and I noticed that the entire fifth grade class seemed to be pulling tiny little flip phones from their backpacks, and making a call.  To Who?  All their friends were right there!  Their mothers were 20 feet away, waiting dutifully in their SUVs to pick them up!  Who in the world were they calling?  Just checking on their stock portfolios?

Oh, this world.

So, RJ decided he would earn his phone.  His father, stepfather, and I all refused to pay for a monthly service.  I had to walk to school barefoot in the snow, when I was his age.  (And I grew up in California, where it never even snows!)  Not to be put off, he selected sleek red pre-paid T-Mobile "unit."  I told him if he wanted to earn it for himself and pay for his pre-paid minutes, well - of course, that was up to him...

I thought it would take him ten years.  That child's birthday and Christmas money burns a hole in his pocket quicker than a flaming comet.

For a week, he begged everyone he knew, both of his families (ours and his Dad's) the neighbors, and passing strangers, for jobs.  He swept floors, cleaned out the fridge (including a tupperware container of potato salad from 1992, in the way way back of our fridge), folded laundry, massaged feet, washed cars, and worked his little ten year old fingers to the bone.

One week later, which was last week, he had his money in hand, and earned his phone.  The phone came with ten minutes of pre-paid calls.  He used them up the first afternoon.  The next few days he stared at his minuteless phone with a combination of pride, and misery.

I had dustballs the size of tricerotops in my closet, and there were funny growths of I don't know what behind the toilet in the front bathroom.  I went to my little worker bee son, and offered him some jobs, so that he could earn some more minutes.

"Mom, I'm all jobbed out." He said, dejected.  For the past two days, he has still kept the phone with him at all times.  Even when he is sleeping, he places it on his bedside table, so that he can see it last thing at night, and first thing in the morning.

Tonight, I tucked a box of chocolates into his Easter basket, an Oakland Raiders toothbrush, and a gift certificate, for $25 worth of more minutes, on his phone.

(Here we are, this past Christmas)>

I know he'll make more silly calls.  "Hi Joe?  It's me RJ.  I'm calling you from my cell phone.  Well, that's it.  Goodbye!"  And I also know that a right of passage has occurred.  Right before my eyes.  He's got years to go, and of course a lifetime of being my little boy, no matter what.  As he grows, and goes - I hope he will always know that he is in here, in my heart, forever.  No matter where he is, if he is lonely or remiss, that always, he can think of me, and return to my heart.  And hey, maybe he'll give me a call every now and then.

To those of you who celebrate the holiday ~ Happy Easter.  For all of you, may you take time to celebrate what comes and goes, and the miracles that abound in growth and change.

"And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here."
St. Augustine, Confessions

Cowgirl Up!

No, that's not me (ha!) but hopefully, I will be wearing that dress, soon!

My brotherin law and his girlfriend are getting married in April, and they are having their wedding at a horse ranch.  The overall theme is sort of western.  What could be better than a red gingham top with a denim bottom?

I ordered the dress from Pin Up Girl Clothing, a store that is clearly after my own heart.

I'll take pics on the big day, and you all can see me in the dress, instead of that gorgeous model.  I know, I know, but still - should be fun!

I am also going to be throwing my  sister-in-law to be a shower, and I am decorating their guest book, and making their party favors plus earrings for the bridesmaid party - as gifts.  So I'll post my western creations over the next couple of weeks, as I create!

Woo Hoo!

xo - Chel

Chubby Girls Unite ~ IF

Today's Illustration Friday theme:

Pet Peeves

Here's one of mine as written on the side of my drawing:

Why are anorexic unhappy women the epitome of beauty in this society?

Celebrate your body this weekend, regardless of its shape or size.  Beauty does not come from the numbers on a scale.

xo - Chel

Looking forward to teaching on Tuesday!

I am really excited about the Altered Everything workshop on Tuesday!  We'll be creating altered clothes hangers, and as usual, my sample is excessively kitschy - which makes me smile!

Altered hangers can be used:

As hangers for a special piece of clothing.

To hang a coordinated piece of art from.

As necklace and scarf holders.

Or, as a piece of artwork all in themselves!

Wonderful as gifts, or as a gift to yourself!  JOIN US!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW and join us for this fun evening!

Altered hangers can be used:

As hangers for a special piece of clothing.

To hang a coordinated piece of art from.

As necklace and scarf holders.

Or, as a piece of artwork all in themselves!

Wonderful as gifts, or as a gift to yourself!  JOIN US!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW and join us for this fun evening!

I'm enchanted!

My Bella-Enchanted Easter Basket Swap partner was the lovely Jeanie from www.SouthernNest.blogspot.com.

I received my goodies today, and they are too cute for words!  And glittery too.  WOO HOO!

I love it all, but my favorite item by far is the adorable yellow polka dot mug.  Just TOO CUTE!

I sent her stuff last week, and she received it, so I can show it to you all, now.

Jeanie said that she liked the color green, the scent of cinnamon and fresh linen, tea, stationary, bunnys, and hydrangea's were her favorite flowers.

  So, here you can see that I put together a little package with one of my art cards, some notecards and a notepad, a cinnamon scented candle with a little votive holder, some floral printed tissues, a linen scented packet, a little prim floral painting on a wood chip, and a basket with some chocolates in it - and two faux hydrangea stems.

Oh, and I added a little bunny figurine too.

I also added two little carrots filled with chocolates and teddy bears for her two kids:

Here is the whole package, when it was all wrapped up - just before I boxed it up and sent it out:

I hope you all are having a wonderful week so far!

xo - Chel

I'm Broadcasting Live Tonight!

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(California Time)

CALL IN LIVE:

(347) 324-5359

LIVE!  On the air on Monday 3/17/08, 6:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Our Pause for a Cause Organization this month is:

Honor with Art

March 17ths Circa Arte Prize Giveaway is sponsored by:

 

1000 Cranes and 7 Things

My lovely artist friend Julee Herrmann has a best friend (and also a fellow ZNE Member) named Stacey Ballard, who is dealing with a very rare and devestating liver disease.  At present, Stacey is desperately hoping for a liver transplant.

As lives and hopes and dreams hang inthe balance, Julee has come up with a plan for idle hands to be put to work, in the act of creation, and with the belief that so many busied hands and minds turned to peace and healing for Stacey, will help everyone deal with the stress and pain of the situation.  Julee's plan involves inviting people to fold origami cranes.  Not just one, or three, or even 100 - but Julee is well on her way to receiving 1,000 cranes for Stacey.  Not only that, but she is hand delivering the cranes to Stacey, letting her know how many hands and hopes and prayers are out there, on her behalf, delivered on the backs of these hand folded cranes!

A few weeks ago I was happy to open up my home and host Julee and several friends - so that we could fold cranes together.  Even my kids got in on the crane folding action.

Here we all are with some of our crane creations.  I hope Stacey finds some comfort in all these little gifts.  I know she must feel blessed to have someone as wonderful as Julee for a friend.

Julee tagged me on her blog to do the 7 Things meme, a couple days ago.

"Write 7 Things About Yourself."

So, let's see...

1.  I find folding origami cranes to be incredibly difficult.

2.  I am endlessly fascinated by swarms of birds flying overhead.  Sometimes I secretly wish I could join them.

3. I think my life has been overwhelmingly blessed with health and happiness for both myself and my husband and our children.  We have our woes, but overall - our blessings far outweigh them.  I can't imagine why I've been so lucky.  Really.

4.  I prefer country and folk soft rock to ... well, pretty much anything else.  I loved pseudo punk and rock and roul and then old school hip hop / rap as a teen and young adult.  I never in a million years would have guessed that my musical tastes would have turned out this way as an adult.

5.  I can't believe I just referred to myself as an adult.

6.  I puposely cropped the picture above so that you would only see half of me because I looked like a whale wearing a mumu in the full picture.

7.  That being said, I'm a bit chubby, but I love the way I look.  Really.  I'm a cleavage girl for sure.I think for health reasons I could stand to shed a few pounds, but I am actually nervous that I'd lose my curves.  BANISH the thought!

And there you go!  SEVEN THINGS!

What are yours?  For tagging purposes I am going to copy Julee, and tag the entire ZNE Design Team!  Fess up ladies.

And have a great Saturday everyone!

H e a v y

A bit of sadness floating around today.  And the IF Theme is:  Heavy.

Here's to hoping things aren't too heavy in your part of the world.

We had such fun!

We had some FABULOUS kids join us for the crown workshop last Tuesday.  My stepdaughter Abigail is on the far left, then (me!), my son RJ, Maria Schuldheisz, Gina Gabriell's son Noah, and Gina herself.

Everyone had a good time playing with crown forms, ink pads, images and embellishments.

Everyone was royal that night!

The crowns were really fun to see, all grouped together.

What a SWEET LITTLE NEST!

Last week, the SWEETEST little birdy in a nest box arrived on my doorstep.

She was created by the fabulous Julie Molina:

http://julbie.blogspot.com/

The bird at top is so adorable, honestly I could kiss her: 

And the entire box was painted and embellished -inside and out!

Julie also include an adorable little art card (gotta love that glitter crown!) and laid all the goodies in the sweetest little bed of silky flower petals:

I was SO thrilled with this swap!  THANK YOU SPECKLED EGG FOR HOSTING!

I gave you guys a sneak peak at the nest I sent Julie, but here are the full pics. Receiving my nest in return was wonderful, but honestly - I had just as much fun creating my little kewpie in a nest!

Here was the "nest" - I cut the brim off an old straw gardening hat (!) with pinking shears, and embellished it with just about everything under the son.  I added some mica covered brances for effect.  (You know, a "nest" effect.)

Then, I filled it with these chocolate flowers:

And next, I moved on the resident of the nest:

And all packaged up, ready to be shipped out to Julie!

Julie reported that she received her little kewpie in a nest in fine shape ~ and that the chocolates were almost too pretty to eat.  (She emphasized the "almost" - ha!)

What fun!  I am glad my little kewpie girl is off to a new and artsy home.

: D

Springtime is coming!

This is what it looks like when you stand in the front yard of The ZNE Studios, and look up.

And this is what it looks like when you look down.

How wonderful is that?

It's time for a Spring themed workshop, I think!  Tonight I am teaching an altered crown workshop ~ but next week, we'll make Kewpies in a Nest!

March 18 Altered Everything ~ Spring Kewpies in a Nest!

Tuesday March 18, 6 - 8 p.m.

As always, yummy refreshments, all supplies, and a special gift pack will be provided for all recipients at each class.  Classes are taught by ZNE Founder Chel Stroud Hery.

Classes take place at Poetry on Canvas in downtown Pleasanton.

CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO SIX PARTICIPANTS EACH WEEK - SO PLEASE SIGN UP EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT!

SPRING KEWPIES IN A NEST

The March 18th Workshop will be creating an adorable vintage kewpie doll assemblage - whether you prefer your next to bright and colorful or sweet and pastel, you will go home with a sweet little Kewpie in a Nest of your very own.

Your final piece will be guided by your style and color preferences.  The possibilities are endless.  The pieces shown are only examples.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW and join us for this fun evening!

Happy Spring everyone!

xo - Chel

Tuesday March 18, 6 - 8 p.m.

As always, yummy refreshments, all supplies, and a special gift pack will be provided for all recipients at each class.  Classes are taught by ZNE Founder Chel Stroud Hery.

Classes take place at Poetry on Canvas in downtown Pleasanton.

CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO SIX PARTICIPANTS EACH WEEK - SO PLEASE SIGN UP EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT!

SPRING KEWPIES IN A NEST

The March 18th Workshop will be creating an adorable vintage kewpie doll assemblage - whether you prefer your next to bright and colorful or sweet and pastel, you will go home with a sweet little Kewpie in a Nest of your very own.

Your final piece will be guided by your style and color preferences.  The possibilities are endless.  The pieces shown are only examples.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW and join us for this fun evening!

I'm broadcasting live tonight!

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(California Time)

CALL IN LIVE:

(347) 324-5359

LIVE!  On the air on Monday 3/11/08, 6:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Our Pause for a Cause Organization this month is:

Honor with Art

March 10ths Circa Arte Prize Giveaway is sponsored by:

My heart overflows...

My wonderful friend JoAnnA Pierotti received her copy of the book ZNE created to comfort her in her time of sorrow as she deals with the death of her mother.

In true JoAnnA style, she created a beautiful piece of artwork to express her appreciation.  She used a picture of her mother holding her when she was about one year old:

 

Click on the image to see a close up and be able to read her beautiful words.  Check out JoAnnA's blog to see her post about receiving the book:

http://mosshill.blogs.com/joannas_journal/2008/03/my-dear-preciou.html

My heart overflows right now with gratitude toward all the members of ZNE who contributed to the creation of the book, and in the fact that JoAnnA has received great comfort in its pages.

(And if you would like to purchase a copy of the Never Forgotten book which honors mothers, loss, and healing - CLICK HERE.)

Have I mentioned yet that I am excited!

CLICK ON THE FLYER ABOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ZNE's INCREDIBLE CASTLE IN THE MEADOW EVENT IN MICHIGAN ON JUNE 8!

www.CastleInTheMeadow.com

In the Garden of my Heart...

Colored pencil, and digital embellishments.

**Tag used on top left is a graphic from Avalon Rose Design.

The illustration friday theme this week - Garden.

May everything growing in your garden, be good!

xo - Chel

The Royal Treatment

My toes are tingly.  My heart is skipping.  I just can't wait for THIS event!

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

 

If you are anywhere near the Mid West, or you are going to be in the Mid West in June, or you are willing to be in the Mid West in June - then quick, grab a spot while there are still some available!

I know I said it above, but again:

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

I hope your day is full of regal wonderfullness!

xo - Chel

These women and their amazing words!

Look at these lovely ladies, in the equally lovely Poetry on Canvas Gallery in Pleasanton.

They have already created their canvas panel backgrounds, like experts.  : D  Now they are thumbing their way through vintage magazines and other image sources.  They were about to get serious about creating some incredible mixed media art pieces.

My teaching style emphasizing freedom and creativity - I hope that everyone will walk away from my workshop having learned a few techniques, but even more so - feeling bolstered in the ability to trust their creative drive.  "Whatever happens, there are no mistakes.  Go with it.  Trust yourself, and just do it."

We had a blast, and - as always, I was thrilled and delighted with the diversity of their finished pieces.  Here we all are. I'm the proud mama in the cherry apron in the middle.  They are each cradling their finished artwork:

What's that?  You want to see their artwork closer up?  Look how wonderful it all turned out! (And click on any image to see it larger.)

I hope you all are having a wonderfully creative week, as well!

 

Women, Words, and Crowns!

I'm teaching a class tonight - we'll be using a special acryllic paint on canvas panel background technique, and then adding Women and Words with embellishments, to complete our artwork.   

The class is full, so I am excited.  This year I am teaching at a beautiful new studio downtown called Poetry on Canvas.  Should be fun!

Next week, I'll offer a workshop on altered crowns.  The projects need to be completed start to finish in 2-3 hours tops, so I don't venture into any really time consuming techniques.  I had fun this past weekend seeing what kinds of crowns I could turn out in an hour or so.  My kids drew pictures and played with my rubber stamp collection while I glued, glittered, and ink stained glittery gold crown forms.

Here's what I came up with (talk about a big difference between the two!)

The Found Object Queen Crown:

I used vintage buttons, cigar bands, and faux grape pearl clusters.  I also added gold ribbon at the bottom, and mica netting.  The top of the crown is rounded out with (careful!) carpet pulling razer blades.   Aint that sharp!  (ha!)

But this crown, was obviously my favorite:  The Pearly Pin Up Party Crown!

  Need I say more?

Anyway, I think the "Fit for a Queen" crown class will be fun.  That class still has some room in it.  If you are in the SF Bay Area and would like to join us, check out the details - here:

http://chelise.typepad.com/the_zne_scene/2008/03/march-11-altere.html

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

xo - Chel

I'm interviewing Chrysti Hydeck today!

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(California Time)

CALL IN LIVE:

(347) 324-5359

ZNE MEMBER INTERVIEW WITH CHRYSTI HYDECK!

Chrysti Hydeck is a self taught artist who discovered her passion for mixed media art and collage at a very young age.

"Much to my parents dismay, my "formal" training came from 15 years of painting, drawing, cutting & gluing anything to my walls! I found that losing myself in something creative, not only suppressed my tics (a byproduct of living with Tourette's Syndrome) but nurtured my soul," says Chrysti.

Chrysti is often considered an "outsider" artist, in addition to Tourette's Syndrome, she lives with Bipolar Disorder.  "My work is highly personal as my moods, passion & intensity can be found within each of my pieces... every one of my creations has a piece of me within them, whether it's my sense of humor, my sensuality, my passion for animals, my love of whimsy, words and all things odd... or my flair for seeing things in a new light, I hope my creations speak to a part of you as well," Chyrsti explains.

Chrysti's work has been published in numerous books, e-zines, zines, and magazines such as Cloth Paper Scissors.  In addition to her extraordinary work, Chrysti is the proprietess of Altered Abbey, a  unique online store that offers extraordinary art and supplies for the mixed media artist.

Join us as we talk to Chrysti about using her art as a creative outlet to cope with her Tourette's and BiPolar disorder - as well as the secrets to her success in marketing her artwork - and her long time membership and commitment to the group ZNE!

LIVE!  On the air on Monday 3/03/08, 6:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Our Pause for a Cause Organization this month is:

Honor with Art

March 3rds Circa Arte Prize Giveaway is sponsored by:

Looking forward to having YOU join us!

Oh, so proud!

Click on the image to learn more.

We did it for Mossy.

Spring Fling Tutorial!

WOW!  March First, already?  You bet!  I am going to share a slideshow tutorial that I posted in November, for my Jingle Dogs, just in ca